Romney’s massive media expenditures less and less effective; more on Romney and the law of diminishing marginal returns on investment

August 2, 2007 in 2008, analysis, campaign finance, campaign management, election, election 2008, incompetence, mitt romney, republicans, romney
Tags: Geraghty, Giuliani, McCain

“Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, who had been losing ground in some recent New Hampshire polls, is leading the American Research Group poll with 27 percent of likely Republican primary voters saying they prefer Giuliani,” reports the estimable Beth LaMontagne for NHPolls.com.

Less Ads on the Air Means Lower Poll Numbers for Romney In the Republican race, Romney had seen a steady increase in polling numbers, but the most recent ARG poll shows him leveling off. Bennett attributes this to reducing the number of Romney television commercials.

“Once Romney starts advertising he can’t stop because his support will deflate some then,” said Bennett. “It means it’s going to be an expensive race for him.”

Dante Scala, professor of politics at the University of New Hampshire attributes Giuliani’s rise in this most recent poll to the fall of U.S. Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz. Once the frontrunner, McCain received the support of 10 percent of likely Republican primary voters in this most recent poll. Scala said because both McCain and Giuliani supporters tend to be moderates, it stands to reason McCain’s loss is Giuliani’s gain … more

The ARG’s findings are consonant with our own claims and inferences about Romney’s rapidly diminishing marginal returns on investment—e.g. Romney had to pay US$32 million for 8 Gallup points—how much will Romney have to pay for the next point?—how much will Romney be forced to pay to keep the points he has?

Also see:

• Willard Milton Romney and the law of diminishing marginal returns
• Romney fails to connect with Republican base despite surge to the right, despite massive spending
• Boivie to Romney: “spend less money and keep quiet”
• Cillizza: “[Romney] campaign has sought to downplay the extent of [Romney’s] personal donations”

Oh, hey, Romney, here’s a thought—we know we’re going way out there on this one, but, um—why not, you know, develop a message that really-actually connects with people, a message that actually works, a message that performs, I mean, as opposed to, you know, spending huge sums of money to carpet-bomb the airwaves with noise that is as quickly forgotten as it is consumed.

Conclusion: Romney is competitive only because of his personal fortune.

Suggestion for Romney: Is it not time to consider that self-evaluation and bench-marking you prate about? Note to Romney-sycophant Jim Geraghty: where is that icy-cold, apolitical, non-ideological Romney competence you make all that noise about? Is this it?—because we have to tell you, we are not impressed.

yours &c.
dr. g.d.

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